USDA Wood Utilization Assistance Program
OPPORTUNITY:
The Wood Innovations Grant Program makes funding available to expand traditional wood use projects, advance wood energy markets, and promote wood use in commercial building construction. This Request for Proposals focuses on the program’s market development goals to reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on national forests and other forest lands, reduce the costs of forest management, and promote economically strong and environmentally healthy communities.
DESCRIPTION:
The USDA Forest Service requests proposals to substantially expand and accelerate wood energy and wood products markets throughout the United States to support forest management needs on National Forest System and other forest lands. The grants and agreements awarded under this announcement will support the nationwide challenge of disposing of hazardous fuels and other wood residues from the National Forest System and other U.S. forest lands in a manner that supports wood products and wood energy markets.
This Request for Proposals focuses on the following priorities to:
- Reduce hazardous fuels and improve forest health on National Forest System and other forestlands
- Reduce costs of forest management on all land types
- Promote economic and environmental health of communities
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS:
- For-profit entities
- State and local governments
- Indian Tribes
- School districts
- Community not-for-profit organizations
- Institutions of higher education
- Special purpose districts (e.g., public utilities districts, fire districts, conservation districts, and ports)
MATCHING FUNDS:
The cost share is 50% of the total allowable costs
FUNDING AVAILABLE AND APPLICATION WINDOW:
FUNDING AVAILABILITY: $24 million: Award Ceiling: $300,000; Award Floor: $10,000
APPLICATION DEADLINE: March 23, 2023
